Andrew Scott - Ukulele for Beginners: A Beginners Guide and Songbook, to Learn and Play Ukulele Reading different Chords, including Popular Songs

Ukulele for Beginners

A Beginners Guide and Songbook, to Learn and Play Ukulele Reading different Chords, including Popular Songs

by Andrew Scott

Copyright by Andrew Scott - All rights reserved

T HE FOLLOWING BOOK is reproduced below with the goal of providing information that is as accurate and reliable as possible. The transmission, duplication, or reproduction of any of the following work including specific information will be considered an illegal act irrespective of if it is done electronically or in print. This extends to creating a secondary or tertiary copy of the work or a recorded copy and is only allowed with the express written consent from the Publisher. All additional rights reserved. The information in the following pages is broadly considered a truthful and accurate account of facts and as such, any inattention, use, or misuse of the information in question by the reader will render any resulting actions solely under their purview.

Introduction

W ELCOME TO THE PERSONALLY rewarding world of playing a musical instrument the UKULELE! Imagine sitting around the campfire or at the beach entertaining friends with singalongs for hours on end. Then again, your passion might lie in only playing for your own enjoyment and accomplishment or playing with other musicians in a Ukulele band.

This is all easily within your grasp as the Ukuleles learning curve is anything but steep. In no time at all, you should be strumming simple songs and easily recognizable melodies. Anyone from a grandchild to a grandparent (and beyond) can quickly be playing. As there are only four strings and tuning is considered open, that is to say, strumming the instrument without placing your fingers on the fretboard is actually a chord (it is actually an Am7 chord just so you know). How difficult is that after all?

Playing the Ukulele is entertaining and fun not to mention easy to learn. You cant deny the charm of the Ukuleles happy sound and easily recognizable sweet tone. I must mention one of my favorite artists who plays the Ukulele, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam fame, who can argue about playing this little instrument after reading that? He has been quoted as saying Its an activist instrument. He has even recorded a solo album entitled Ukulele Songs which he refers to the Ukulele as an Instant community builder. Again, who can argue with one of historys most influential musicians regarding The Ukulele? I cant.

The Ukulele is a wonderful instrument to pick up. Maybe you are a guitarist looking for some variety like I was or maybe you have never played an instrument in your life. As with everything, we all have our reasons.

Its soft nylon strings are easier to play than the typical steel strings of the guitar not to mention there are fewer strings. Being a smaller size instrument is an advantage also reducing wrist tension and discomfort because notes and chords easier to reach and form.

Then lets not overlook affordability. Buying a decent Ukulele will not break the bank, rest assured. You can purchase one that will give you years of enjoyment for under $80.

And due to its small size, its the ultimate in portability! Throw it in the back of your car or bring it with you on the plane. Try doing that with a drum set. Plus, its friendly, fun and just sounds great. You can easily adapt almost any song to be played on the Ukulele. I know when I play Stairway to Heaven on my Ukulele my friends mouths will drop open in disbelief. I personally think my uke rendition of that classic sounds better than it does on guitar. I believe it is the subtle sweetness of the instruments sound.

We will be exploring step by step: the sizes of Ukuleles, choosing the correct beginner model and suggested models with model numbers, identification of the parts, holding the instrument, tuning, correct hand position, the Ukulele notes, reading the chord diagrams, chords, major and minor chords, 7th chords, a flat chord, sample practice exercises and then completing with chord diagram overview of 108 chords.

Keep in mind most songs can be and typically are played with three or four simple chords; Yet from this introductory guide you can continue onwards of possibly even being the next Tiny Tim or as I detailed before, Eddie Vedder if you are unfamiliar with the former.

Even though there are plenty of books on this subject on the market, thanks again for choosing this one!

Every effort was made to ensure it is full of as much useful information as possible, please enjoy!

Learning Ukulele is Easy

T HE UKULELE IS AN EASY and simple instrument, yet intensely rewarding to play. Four strings, with many chords and songs being played with one finger. Yes, you read that statement correctly, one finger. And it gets simpler. Strumming the four open strings is a chord (its an Am7 if you were curious and all this will be explained in detail later in this book).

To make it easier, here are a few of the best tips for those who are just beginning to play Ukulele:

• Never compromise on price. We will talk about this more in later chapters. The biggest reason to make sure you are not buying a cheap instrument is the longevity of it. You want something that is going to last and is going to produce the sounds you are looking to create.
• Start on the right foot. Do not move too quickly forward. You need to learn about the different parts of the instrument, for example. If you do not know which part does what, or which part is where it will make everything moving forward far easier.
• Research wood types. Different types of wood create different sounds. There are low-grade woods, alongside high-grade ones. The more expensive the instrument, the better grade the wood.
• Keep your eyes on the prize. Make sure that you watch more experienced musicians playing. Watch their hands, especially as they are making sounds you want to mimic. This is the easiest way to gain experience without an instructor.
• Exercise your hands. There are several different exercises which will help your hands get used to the idea of playing. You can expect to have cramps in your hands at first. Doing different exercises will help you reduce the strain.